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Calling All Gals With Pale Skin: You May Need More of This Vitamin

If you were blessed with golden, dark, skin, well, this isn't the post for you. But forward it to all your pasty friends! Because, researchers say that people with pale skin, may need more of this vitamin...

Pale skin (like the lovely Cate Blanchett)? It may be a sign that you're not getting enough vitamin D. People with naturally pale skin (those who sunburn easily) are more likely to have inadequate vitamin D levels, say researchers. And it's a sign that you may need to supplement.

Vitamin D is associated with healthy bones and disease protection (and a long, long list of other health bonuses). The National Institutes of Health recommends vitamin D levels of 50 nmol/L and above for optimum health. How can you find out what your levels are? Get a simple blood test at your next doctor appointment. I did, and I found out that my levels were shockingly low.

Also, here's a way to increase your D: Up your exercise--outside. A brand new study found that people who exercise vigorously for at least three hours a week have higher vitamin D levels than those who don't exercise as much.